File photo of DMDK chief Vijayakanth
Chennai:
After MDMK, another BJP ally in Tamil Nadu,
Vijayakanth-led DMDK, today opposed Narendra Modi's invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend his swearing-in on Monday. The party said Mr Rajapaksa's presence is not acceptable to it and sought for a review of the same.
Vijayakanth, however, said his party would have boycotted the swearing-in ceremony if only Mr Rajapaksa was invited.
"Countries including Pakistan which is opposed to India have promised of their participation. If Rajapaksa alone had been invited DMDK would certainly not have attended the swearing-in ceremony," he said in a statement on Saturday.
The actor-politician said Mr Modi must be given a time of six months to make an assessment of his government.
"DMDK does not accept the invitation to Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa to participate in Mr Narendra Modi's swearing-in as Prime Minister," he said.
He said Mr Modi had assured him in person that he will solve the Sri Lankan Tamils issue as well as the attacks on Indian fishermen by Lankan navy and assured to take these matters up with the BJP leader again.